Bill > HB6279

This bill amends the Corrections Code of 1953—the set of laws governing state correctional facilities (prisons)—by adding three new sections designed to improve health, safety, and accessibility standards for incarcerated individuals in Michigan. Specifically, the legislation requires the Michigan Department of Corrections to ensure that prisoners receive timely medical, dental, optical, and mental health care, with strict policies in place to maintain continuity of treatment while protecting patient privacy and dignity. Additionally, the bill mandates that the department provide reasonable access to programs, services, and necessary "assistive equipment"—defined as items like hearing aids, eyeglasses, wheelchairs, walkers, and prosthetic devices—to properly identify and accommodate prisoners with disabilities. Finally, the measure requires correctional facilities to maintain safe and sanitary physical environments, including adequate ventilation, temperature controls, and access to basic hygiene facilities and sanitary products, while granting prisoners the right to use the official department grievance system if any of these new health and safety standards are violated.